The research and evaluation of drug-use habits of people in North Cyprus

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the drug-use habits in North Cyprus and to prepare a demographic study of drug wastage. A total of 450 questionnaires containing 36 questions were handed out in 5 major cities of North Cyprus. Participants' pharmaceutical consumption habits and basic knowledge on rational use were compared with respect to their education level and living cities. People in Cyprus are using leftover medications in case of a need of 63.1%. Most of the participants get their medication with prescriptions (43.5%) and also pay attention to expiry dates while purchasing (80.6%). The main reason behind the leftover medication is the end of the illness or treatment. The second-highest leftover group is antibiotics (17.5%). According to the comparison of data between education levels and cities, rational drug use is statistically low for lower education levels (P = 0.002) and the Guzelyurt region (P = 0.002).